Page 16 of 304
or
Anti-lock brake
warning light
(if so equipped)2-11
Automatic
transmission
check warning
light (if so
equipped)2-12
or
Brake warning
light2-12
Charge warning
light2-12
Door open
warning light2-12
Warning
lightName Page
Engine oil pres-
sure warning
light2-12
or
Low fuel warn-
ing light2-13
Low windshield
washer fluid
warning light2-13
Seat belt warn-
ing light and
chime2-13
Supplemental
air bag warning
light1-49
Trunk lid open
warning light2-13
Indicator
lightName Page
Automatic
transmission
position indica-
tor light (A/T
models)5-4
CRUISE main
switch indicator
light (if so
equipped)5-15
Cruise SET
switch indicator
light (if so
equipped)5-15
or
Front passenger
air bag status
light2-14
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
0-10Illustrated table of contents
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2005 Altima(l30)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
01/04/05Ðarosenma
X
Page 81 of 304

Anti-lock brake warning light
(if so equipped)Low windshield washer fluid warning lightorFront passenger air bag
status light
Automatic transmission check warning light
(if so equipped)Seat belt warning light and chimeHigh beam indicator light (Blue)
orBrake warning lightSupplemental air bag warning lightMalfunction indicator lamp (MIL)
Charge warning lightTrunk lid open warning lightSlip indicator light (if so equipped)
Door open warning lightAutomatic transmission position indicator light
(A/T models)Traction control system off indicator light
(if so equipped)
Engine oil pressure warning lightCRUISE main switch indicator light
(if so equipped)Turn signal/hazard indicator lights
orLow fuel warning lightCruise SET switch indicator light
(if so equipped)
CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking brake
and turn the ignition key to the ON position
without starting the engine. The following lights
will come on:
,or,,,
The following lights come on briefly and then go
off:
or,,,,
orAnti-lock brake
warning light (if so
equipped)
If the light comes on while the engine is running,
it may indicate the anti-lock brake system is not
functioning properly. Have the system checked
by a NISSAN dealer.
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Instruments and controls2-11
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2005 Altima(l30)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
01/04/05Ðarosenma
X
Page 82 of 304

orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake and
the foot brake systems.
When the ignition key is in the ON position, the
light comes on when the parking brake is applied,
and also warns of a low brake fluid level. If the
light comes on while the engine is running with
the parking brake not applied, stop the vehicle
and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid
as necessary. See “Brake and clutch fluid” in
the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” sec-
tion of this manual.2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
brake system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If the
light flickers or comes on during normal driving,
pull off the road in a safe area, stop the engine
immediatelyand call a NISSAN dealer or other
authorized repair shop.
The engine oil pressure warning light is not
designed to indicate a low oil level.Use the
dipstick to check the oil level. See “Engine oil” in
the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of
this manual.
2-12Instruments and controls
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2005 Altima(l30)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
01/04/05Ðarosenma
X
Page 85 of 304

Traction control system off
indicator light (if so equipped)
This indicator light comes on when the traction
control off switch is pushed to OFF. This indi-
cates the traction control system is not operating.
Push the traction control off switch again or re-
start the engine and the system will operate nor-
mally. See “Traction control system (TCS)” in the
“Starting and driving” section of this manual.
The traction control light also comes on when you
turn the ignition key to the ON position. The light
will turn off after about 2 seconds if the traction
control system (TCS) is operational. If the light
stays on or comes on along with the SLIP indica-tor light while you are driving, have the traction
control system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
While the traction control system is operating,
you might feel slight vibration or hear the system
working when starting the vehicle or accelerat-
ing, but this is normal.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The appropriate light flashes when the turn signal
switch is activated.
Both lights flash when the hazard switch is turned
on.
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Brake pad wear warning
The disc brake pads have audible wear warnings.
When a brake pad requires replacement, it
makes a high pitched scraping sound when the
vehicle is in motion, whether or not the brake
pedal is depressed. Have the brakes checked as
soon as possible if the warning sound is heard.
Key reminder chime
A chime sounds if the driver’s door is opened
while the key is left in the ignition switch. Remove
the key and take it with you when leaving the
vehicle.
Instruments and controls2-15
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2005 Altima(l30)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
01/04/05Ðarosenma
X
Page 94 of 304
position. Turn the
headlight switch to theposition for full
illumination when driving at night.
If the parking brake is applied before the engine is
started, the daytime running lights do not illumi-
nate. The daytime running lights illuminate when
the parking brake is released. The daytime run-
ning lights will remain on until the ignition switch
is turned off.
orposition.
Turn the control to adjust the brightness of instru-
ment panel lights when driving at night.
The instrument brightness control will not adjust
the brightness when the headlights or parking
lights are off.
Page 188 of 304
CAUTION
cDo not rest your foot on the clutch pedal
while driving. This may cause clutch
damage.
cFully depress the clutch pedal before
shifting to help prevent transmission
damage.
cStop your vehicle completely before
shifting into R (Reverse) .
cWhen the vehicle is stopped with the
engine running (for example, at a stop
light) , shift to N (Neutral) and release
the clutch pedal with the foot brake
applied.
Shifting
To change gears, or when upshifting or down-
shifting, depress the clutch pedal fully, shift into
the appropriate gear, then release the clutch
slowly and smoothly.
To ensure smooth gear changes, fully depress
the clutch pedal before operating the shift lever. If
the clutch pedal is not fully depressed before the
transmission is shifted, a gear noise may be
heard. Transmission damage could occur.
On the 5-speed manual transmission, you cannot
shift directly from 5th gear into R (Reverse) . First
shift into N (Neutral) , then into R (Reverse) .